National Music Editor

Cancelled: Stone Temple Pilots had planned to tour with Chester Bennington, second from left, the lead singer of Linkin Park.

Stone Temple Pilots, one of the main headliners for the huge Soundwave Festival – the most popular of all Australian music festivals last year – has decided to cancel its tour less than a month out from the event.

A statement issued by Soundwave late this afternoon said the American heavy rock band ‘‘regretfully cancel all upcoming shows’’, before adding: ‘‘The recording of the new album has now gone beyond schedule and sadly the availability of the recording studio, engineers and the producer or lack thereof dictates that the band have had to cancel their upcoming engagements.’’

Stone Temple Pilots were announced on the bill last year, with Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington as the vocalist for the planned tour. The band has been involved in protracted legal action with former lead singer, Scott Weiland, who was sacked and sued in an attempt to prevent him using the band’s name. Weiland counter-sued the band. Both lawsuits are ongoing.

Australian band The Living End has been announced as Stone Temple Pilots’ replacement.

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Soundwave also said tickets for the Stone Temple Pilots sideshows (February 25 in Sydney and February 26 in Melbourne) will be refunded at the point of purchase.